I spend a lot of time reading about fairy and folktales of many cultures. While the most well known come from Europe and North America, I have amassed a decent collection of these writings from Russia, Romania, India, Japan, Africa, Australia/New Zealand, and the Caribbean. I collect rare references of folklore because I enjoy seeing the different cultures within stories which originated as oral tradition. Weaving bits of these time-honored tales into my fantasies brings me pleasure to continue their passage.This writing research for a current work in progress took me to discover interesting lore and fables about the various full moons. I have always been intrigued by the mystique of the full moon, conjuring both fantasy as well as eliciting romance and passion. Those who know me understand my attraction to this symbolism; the genres I blend are exactly those, fantasy and romance/soft erotica._____________________________________________________________________________________

Tall nettles cover up, as they have doneThese many springs, the rusty harrow, the ploughLong worn out, and the roller made of stone.Only the elm butt tops the nettles now . . . This corner of the farmyard I like most,As well as any bloom upon a flowerI like the dust on the nettles, never lostExcept to prove the sweetness of a shower.

~Edward Thomas

The Buck Moon

The next time the full moon will rise is on July 26th (1:38 GMT). This cycle is given the name Buck Moon because it is in July when new antlers of buck deer push out of their foreheads in coatings of velvety fur. Another name for this lunar event is the Full Thunder Moon, owing to the fact that thunderstorms are most frequent during this month. It is also called the Hay Moon because farmers hold to the rule that grass crops should be sown at this time to insure the hay will dry quickly. Other common names for the July moon include the Crane Moon, the Claiming Moon, Mead Moon, Oak Moon, Wort Moon, Moon of Blood (because of mosquitoes), Blessing Moon, and the Summer Moon.

Many cultures rely on this moon to mark their celebrations. In Japan, the July moon is the time of the O-Bon, or Festival of Lanterns, a three-day celebration of Buddhist and Shinto beliefs honoring the dead. Homes, tombs, and grave markers are cleaned. Altars and shines are decorated. Gardens are hung with lanterns so the dead may find their ways to join families.

The Egyptian New Year also occurs in July, as does the Opet Festival, which commemorates the marriage of Isis and Osiris. Their sexual union is supposed to bring good luck to all people. In Rome, the love of Venus and Adonis are celebrated at this time of July’s full moon.

I'm so fascinated how full moons got their names. I tripped upon this information when I was doing research on the "Blue Moon". I had no idea different cultures and beliefs would name them differently depending on their backgrounds.